February 7, 2025 2:50 a.m.

Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed February Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month in Oregon.

A release from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management said in the past, Oregon has suffered considerable damage from moderate earthquake events. That includes the 1993 Scotts Mills and Klamath Falls earthquakes and from a deadly tsunami that originated in Alaska in 1964.

OED said scientific evidence indicates that the State of Oregon is at risk for a much larger event associated with the Cascadia Subduction Zone that is expected to generate strong ground shaking and a destructive tsunami, similar to the event that occurred in northeast Japan on March 11th, 2011.

The release said loss of life and property is minimized by natural hazard mitigation planning and grant funding at the state, Tribal, and local levels, which reduce the impact of disasters through risk assessment and mitigation actions – such as seismic strengthening of existing buildings and public education on local tsunami evacuation routes.

As a result, OED, within its role as chair of the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team, will be working with IHMT member agencies, federal partners, local jurisdictions, and neighboring states, to highlight jurisdictional earthquake and tsunami mitigation strategies and provide education and information about individual preparedness for Oregon residents and visitors throughout the month of February and beyond.

Watch OED’s social media channels and its website: Oregon Department of Emergency Management : Oregon Department of Emergency Management : State of Oregon for preparedness tips and more information.